Pellaea rotundifolia

PlantFile Report Copyright © 2000 - 2025 Peter Kirkland - www.plantfile.com Plant Profile
Plant
ID 1305 Pellaea rotundifolia
Botanic Name Pellaea rotundifolia
Common Name Button Fern, New Zealand Brake, Tarawera
Family Name Pteridaceae / Adiantaceae
Cultivars syn. Allosurus roundifolius, Buckle Fern
Origin Australia, New Zealand, Zone 9-11
Growth Type Fern
Bark Type Stemless / Acaulescent
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use High
No. of Species 80
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Fast
Height 0.2 - 0.3 m (1 - 1 ft) Spread 0.2 m (1 ft)
Plant Overview
This fern has a long creeping brown scaly rhizome and forms a clump with wiry dark leaf bases. It has divided dark green fronds that form a lanced-shape outline with small oblong leaflets and the fertile fronds appear during summer.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Pinnate
The dark green pinnate fronds have alternately arranged pinnae are oblong to orbicular up to 15 mm (3/4 in) long and have a leathery texture. The fronds are arching and trailing on a wiry purple-brown stipe.
Arrangement Basal
Margin Crenate
Colour Dark green
Size 150 - 300 mm ( 5.9 - 11.8 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape
The sori are produced along the recurved margins on the underside of the narrow fertile pinnae during summer.
Inflorescence Sori
Colour Brown
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Sporangium Additional Information
Colour Brown
The spores are produced in the sporangium during the sporophyte stage of the fern life cycle in rows on the back of the fertile frond. The spores are very small (like fine dust) and are released from the sori when mature and dispersed by wind.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained moderately fertile moist sandy to clay loams, slightly acidic
Container Pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, under glass in cold climates
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Semi-shade to full sun frost tolerant and drought tender
Pest & Diseases No major pest or disease problem
Fertiliser Container grown plants add dilute liquid fertiliser monthly during summer
Pruning Not normally required, remove spent foliage and divide to contain during spring
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Button Fern is grown for its attractive spreading fronds and its clumping habit. It is grown in rock gardens crevices or in the understory of woodland settings and around water features. It is also grown in pots and in hanging baskets.
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum moss, peat moss then cover with glass and keep moist. 4 to 6 weeks. Divide established clumps (rhizome) during spring before the new growth appears.
© 2025 PlantFileonline. All Rights Reserved.
Designed and Developed by Tatvasoft Australia